What are neurons? Structure and functions of neurons

The human body is a complex system in which a lot of individual blocks and components take part. Externally, the body is seen as elementary and even primitive. However, if you look deeper and try to identify the patterns through which there is interaction between different organs, then the nervous system will come to the fore . The neuron, which is the basic functional unit of this structure, acts as a transmitter of chemical and electrical impulses. Despite the external similarity with other cells, it performs more complex and responsible tasks, the support of which is important for the person's psycho-physical activity. To understand the characteristics of this receptor, it is necessary to understand its structure, principles of work and tasks.

What are neurons?

The neuron is a specialized cell that is able to receive and process information in the process of interaction with other structural and functional units of the nervous system. The amount of these receptors in the brain is 10 ¹¹ (one hundred billion). In this case, one neuron can contain more than 10 thousand synapses - sensitive endings, through which intercellular contacts occur. Given that these elements can be considered as blocks capable of storing information, one can conclude that the human brain can contain huge amounts of information. A neuron is also called the structural unit of the nervous system, which provides the work of the sense organs. That is, consider this cell should be a multifunctional element, designed to solve various problems.

Features of the neuron cell

If we compare the structure of neurons with other cells, then we can find many common features. However, in terms of functionality, development and principles of work, these are unique elements of the human body. The main feature of neurons is that immediately after birth, their cells cease to reproduce. This explains the fact that as the number of receptors grows, the number of receptors may decrease in some parts of the brain. True, certain types of neurons after birth can significantly increase new connections, which increases their functional activity. There are also features in the structure. The fact is that the work of a neural cell is initially oriented toward communication tasks. For this reason, its device provides several special processes responsible for receiving and transmitting signals.

Structure of neurons

The basis of the cell is the body, inside which is the organelle and the core, covered with special pores. Separate attention deserves the processes of the cell, represented by axons and dendrites. In each neuron there is a complex and developed cytoskeleton that penetrates into the processes. This element helps maintain the shape of the cell and, at the same time, performs the task of transferring organelles in neurotransmitters. Each cell has this structure, but they all differ in size. For example, the body of a neuron can be in diameter from 3 to 130 microns. Nerve receptors may also differ in the number of processes. Some instances, for example, have several dendrites, while others show whole branches that facilitate the reception of more information. The same applies to axons, which differ in length.

The process of formation of neurons

Each neuron had a precursor cell, in which the division stopped even before the first processes began to appear. However, the features of this process have so far been little studied. According to many researchers, the axon appears first, followed by the formation of dendrites. At the end of the forming process there is a thickening, which later pushes the "rails" into the surrounding tissues. It is important to remember what are neurons in the nervous system? This is a small structural-functional unit, the value of which is determined precisely by the processes. Outwardly such branches resemble forests of thin spinules with a thickness of approximately 0.2 μm. At the same time the length of the micro-ball can reach 50 microns. The gaps between these processes are filled with a folded membrane.

Tasks of neurons

There are several functions that neurons perform. In particular, sensory cells differ in sensitivity to various stimuli. Such receptors are present in the skin, tongue, muscles, etc. Cells of this type allow a person to feel pain, temperature changes, pressure, as well as tastes and smells. However, in order to fully understand what neurons are and what they are for, it is necessary to take into account not only responses to stimuli. In addition to sensory cells, there are motor neurons that stimulate the muscles of the body. There is another important group of receptors that acts as a link between motor and sensory cells. These are interneurons that form the central nervous system.

Types of neurons

The main classification involves the separation of neurons according to the structural feature. In particular, scientists distinguish bezaksonnye, pseudo-unipolar, unipolar, multipolar and bipolar neurons. I must say that some of these species have so far been little studied. This refers to non-free cells, which are grouped in the region of the spinal cord. There are also disputes regarding unipolar neurons. There are opinions that such cells are not present at all in the human body. If we talk about which neurons predominate in the organism of higher beings, then multipolar receptors will come to the fore. These are cells that have a network of dendrites and one axon. It can be said that this is a classical neuron, the most common in the nervous system.

Conclusion

Neural cells are an integral part of the human body. It is thanks to these receptors that the daily functioning of hundreds and thousands of chemical transmitters in the human body is provided. At the present stage of development, science answers the question of what neurons are, but leaves space for future discoveries. For example, today there are different opinions about certain nuances of work, growth and development of cells of this type. But in any case, the study of neurons is one of the most important tasks of neurophysiology. Suffice it to say that new discoveries in this field can shed light on more effective ways of treating many mental illnesses. In addition, a deep understanding of the principles of the work of neurons will allow us to develop tools that stimulate mental activity and improve memory in a new generation.